新闻纵贯线 The Beijing Hour updated 20:00 2014/07/09

The Beijing Hour
 
Evening Edition
 
 
Shane Bigham with you this Wednesday, July 09th, 2014.
Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
Coming up on the programme this evening...
High-level Chinese and US officials are discussing maritime disputes, trade, and cyber security at meetings underway now in Beijing...
Meantime, those same officials are pledging better cooperation and deeper ties between China and the US...
And the Palestinian president calls for international help as fighting between Israel and Hamas intensifies...
In business, inflation in China is described as "steady"
In sports, a World Cup meltdown for the home team...
In entertainment, a famous Chinese singer denies those rumors regarding drug use...
 
 
Weather
 
 
Beijing will be clear tonight with a low of 22 degrees Celsius. It will be sunny tomorrow with a high of 35 degrees.　
Meanwhile Shanghai will be cloudy tonight, with a low of 25, tomorrow cloudy, with a high of 34.
Chongqing will be overcast tonight, 28 degrees the low, tomorrow overcast with a high of 33.
Elsewhere in the world, staying in Asia
Islamabad, cloudy with a high of 39.
Kabul, sunny, 32.
Over in Australia
Sydney, sunny, high of 16.
Canberra, slight rain,6.
Brisbane, sunny, 18.
And finally, Perth will have slight rain with a high of 15.
 
 
Top News
 
 
China and U.S. start annual dialogues
 
This year's Strategic and Economic Dialogue between China and the United States and the High-level Consultation on People-to-People exchanges are underway in Beijing.
This year's agenda has over 60 items, including maritime disputes, cyber security, a bilateral investment treaty and the impact of US monetary policy.
The two sides are also expected to touch upon other issues including new energy and climate change.
Meanwhile, Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi has appealed for stronger China-U.S. collaboration in combating terrorism and warned against double standards.
Yang made the remarks at the ongoing China-U.S strategic and economic dialogue.
He said both China and the United States are victims of terrorism, adding that positive results have been seen since the two established a cooperative mechanism against terrorism in 2001.
Yang urged the two countries to make better use of the platform of consultation and step up collaboration in combating terrorism as the two sides face increasing terror threats.
 
 
China, U.S. Pledge Cooperation
 
Anchor:
As the high-level dialogues are underway, both China and the US are promising improvements in cooperation and the handling of differences.
In their opening speeches, the Chinese president and US secretary of state echoed each other on major topics, as other delegates met over a long list of topics to discuss or argue.
CRI's Luo Wen reports.
Reporter:
As a variety of topics are being discussed, there is much potential for clashes or conflicts if discussions are not handled properly.
But President Xi Jinping himself is urging delegates to set aside their differences, at least for the time being, and he's emphasizing the need for cooperation.
He used his speech to explain why now is not the time for confrontation.
"China -US cooperation can be a significant achievement that is beneficial to both sides and to the world. China-U.S. confrontation, to the two countries and the world, would definitely be a disaster. Under these circumstances, we on both sides should look at the big picture of their ties, strengthen them, stick to cooperation and avoid confrontation."
Using a similar tone, Secretary of States John Kerry said the US is willing to take concrete actions with China to achieve common prosperity.
"We are determined to choose the path of peace and prosperity and cooperation, and yes even competition but not conflict. When the United States and China work with each other, we both stand to gain a great deal and that's why we are committed to a new model of relations of great-country relationship. A mutually-beneficial relationship in which we cooperate in areas of common interest and constructively manage the differences."
This year's dialogue comes at a critical time as the two countries celebrate the 35th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.
For the past decades, the world has witnessed the rise of China from poverty to become the world's second largest economy, and the biggest player in terms of global trade.
Relations between an existing superpower and a rising power have long been a topic worldwide.
As many people like to point out, clashes are unavoidable.
But Beijing and Washington are now conducting annual dialogues as they look to avoid old global patterns and establish a better way forward.
A year ago, President Xi Jinping and President Obama agreed to build a new-model relationship between their respective countries based on building trust, finding new avenues of cooperation, and developing deeper ties between nations.
It is not expected to be easy, and that's why President Xi Jinping has called on both sides to overcome all difficulties together:
"The building of a new model of a major-country relationship between China and the United States is an unprecedented and innovative endeavor. There is no ready-made experience to follow and it is natural that some difficulties and even setbacks may occur. Problems in China-U.S. relations are not to be afraid, as long as both sides work to solve them, instead of being distracted by them."
The two-day dialogue was established in 2009.
It has offered a platform for both countries to address bilateral, regional and global challenges and opportunities.
For CRI, I am Luo Wen.
 
 
Reciprocal Efforts Are Important in Building China-US Ties: expert
 
For more on this year's China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue, CRI's Zheng Chenguang spoke earlier with Dr. Zha Xiaogang, researcher on American Studies at Shanghai Institutes for International Studies.
Back Anchor:
That is Dr. Zha Xiaogang, researcher on American Studies at Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, speaking with CRI's Zheng Chenguang.
 
 
Fruitful Results from China-US Consultation on People-to-People Exchanges: officials
 
Meanwhile, at the ongoing High-level Consultation on People-to-People exchanges between China and the US, delegates from the both sides are reporting results.
Richard Stengel, the US undersecretary of state for public diplomacy, says the two sides have talked about cooperation concerning education, technology, culture, sports, and on issues pertaining to youth and woman.
Cen Jianjun, an official from China's Education Ministry, details the outlook on educational exchange programs between the two countries.
"China will continue three projects, including assigning some 10 thousand students to study in the US for doctorates; funding 10 thousand personnel specializing in people to people exchanges, and supporting 10 thousand people coming to learn Chinese here in China. And the US side will further encourage 100 thousand people to study here in China."
Official numbers show that in the past 3 decades since China and the US established diplomatic ties, there have been some 920 thousand Chinese studying in the US.
The number of US students here in China has reached 200 thousand in total.
 
 
China and Brazil to issue joint statement during Xi's upcoming visit
 
China and Brazil are set to issue a joint statement during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the country next week.
China's Foreign Ministry says the President's visit will strengthen the strategic partnership between China and Brazil.
Shen Zhiliang is the director of the ministry's Latin American and Caribbean Affairs department.
"During the visit, President Xi Jinping will hold talks with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff. The two leaders will witness the signing of cooperation documents and attend the celebration for the 40th anniversary of diplomacy between the two countries. During that time, the two countries will issue a joint statement, as well as ink cooperation deals involving trade, energy, electricity, finance and technology."
Xi Jinping will attend a BRICS summit in Brazil next Tuesday.
He is also set to visit Argentina, Venezuela and Cuba.
China plans to launch a cooperation forum with the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States by the end of this year.
 
 
Abbas appeal for international help as Israel launches largest offensive in Gaza
 
At least 27 Palestinians have been killed in what is being called Israel's largest offensive in the Gaza Strip in nearly two years.
The Israelis say they are responding to rocket attacks from Hamas militants based in Gaza.
Some of those rockets have reached as far as Tel Aviv, the capital.
The Israeli military says its warplanes attacked over 130 sites, including Hamas command centers, earlier today.
It has also mobilized forces along the border for a possible ground invasion.
The health ministry in Gaza says four women and three children are among those killed in the air strikes.
Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has appealed for international help as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate.
"What's happening in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem is not a war between two armies. The Palestinian people are an unarmed people, people who live under occupation. It's time now for the international community, and especially the Quartet and the Security Council, to take their responsibility to guarantee the international protection of our people."
The surge in violence along the Gaza border follows a chain of events that started with the abduction of three Jewish students in the occupied West Bank last month.
Blaming Hamas, the Israelis arrested hundreds of its activists in their search for the teenagers who were eventually found dead.
 
 
Indonesian quick vote counts show close race
 
Quick-count results from the Indonesian presidential election, reported by multiple news outlets in the country, point to a close race between the two contenders.
It appears that Jakarta governor Joko Widodo has a slim lead in the race over former general Prabowo Subianto.
Immediately claiming victory, Joko calls on both sides to accept the results.
"We urge all Indonesians to preserve the purity of the people's aspirations and don't try to challenge what the people are asking for."
With about 70 percent of all sample votes counted, the governor has just under 53 percent of the popular vote and the general is just above 47 percent. They are the only two candidates in the race.
However, there are multiple agencies conducting counts independent of each other. While most put Joko Widodo in the lead, one survey has given Prabowo a razor-thin lead with just over 50 percent of the ballots.
 
 
Ukrainian President promises no more street fights in eastern region
 
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has promised no more street fights in the east of the country.
Poroshenko made the comment while visiting the eastern city of Slovyansk.
The rebel's stronghold was recaptured by government forces along with three other cities over the weekend.
Rebels driven out of Slovyansk have regrouped in the regional capital Donetsk, which has declared independence from the Kiev government.
"I want to say one thing - there will be no street fighting in Donetsk. These insurgents are just an annoyance to the residents of Donetsk. There is no future for them there. Therefore, there is only one way forward: peace, disarmament, amnesty and my political plan which includes decentralization."
Poroshenko says the government is ready for a dialogue with the insurgents who will give up arms.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian President has also named a new chief of military operations in the eastern region.
The move comes after Poroshenko appointed a new defense minister who ruled out negotiations until the rebels laid down their arms.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has called for an immediate cease-fire between the government and rebels.
As of Tuesday, Ukrainian security forces have already encircled the rebel strongholds in Donetsk and Luhansk.
 
 
UN Human Rights Office "disturbed" after Australia returned asylum seekers
 
The United Nations says it is deeply disturbed that Australia has returned 41 asylum seekers back to Sri Lanka without adequate screening of their claims.
The UN's office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights says international law requires that each case be properly examined on its own merits.
The office's spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani:
"This is not something that can or should be done hurriedly, remotely and on the high seas, without procedural safeguards and due process guarantees for those involved. Any returns, even from the high seas or in the territorial seas of other states, must be carried out in accordance with international law, under which refoulement and collective expulsions are strictly prohibited."
Australian authorities say the decision to return the refugees were made after it was determined the asylum seekers were mainly Sinhalese. Only a few Tamils were on the vessel.
Sri Lanka ended a decades-long civil war against separatist Tamil rebels in 2009.
But the UN office says other people such as human rights defenders could have a well-founded fear of persecution.
The case comes amid a crackdown by the Australian government on asylum seekers who attempt to reach the country by boat.
 
 
Biz Reports
 
 
Anchor:
First off, a quick look at the business numbers across Asia.
Joinging me on the desk, CRI's Ding Lulu.
Reporter:
Asian stocks extended losses to a one-week low on Wednesday after China's consumer price inflation cooled slightly more than expected in June.
Chinese shares closed lower, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index down 1.2 percent.
The Shenzhen Component lost 2.3 percent.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng dropped 1.6 percent.
Tokyo shares ended lower on Wednesday as investors' sentiment was hurt by declines in the overnight United States and European stocks markets.
The Nikkei 225 trimmed 0.1 percent.
South Korean shares headed lower after weak guidance from Samsung Electronics clouded the outlook for corporate earnings. The KOSPI was down 0.3 percent.
Singapore's Straits Times Index gave up 0.2 percent.
Australia's ASX dropped one percent.
 
 
China's inflation grows 2.3 percent in June
 
The latest stats from the National Bureau of Statistics show the consumer price index for June has come in at 2.3-percent from a four-month high of 2.5 percent in May.
Official data shows the CPI also rose by 2.3 percent in the first half of the year from the same period in 2013.
Wang Jun is the Deputy Director of the Counsel and Study center of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges. He says that shows the inflation here in China is being maintained at a relatively steady pace.
"The CPI has been fluctuating between an ideal range of 2 to 3 percent in the last two years. It shows the priority of Macro-economic Control now is not to control inflation, but to counter the problem of slowing economic growth in the second half of this year."
Food prices are also being cited as the main driver in the rise of consumer goods, with fruit prices up around 20-percent in June compared to the same period last year.
Despite the slowdown in inflation, the result was also higher than the 1.8 percent gain recorded in April.
The April figure had led to concerns of deflation for the world's second largest economy.
 
 
China's its first social credit system to raise credit level
 
China's economic regulator says the country will hasten the building of a national social credit system and raise the level of social credit.
Tian Jinchen is an official of the National Development and Reform Commission.
He says the building of a social credit system has greatly lagged behind China's economic development.
"Commercial fraud, selling fake goods, tax evasion, misconduct in the academic field, and food safety incidents have occurred often. These behavior not only have a very bad influence on the whole society, but also affect China's image internationally. According to official statistics, the annual economic loss due to lack of credibility is more than 600 billion yuan. The impact is huge."
China released an outline for building a government-led national social credit system last month, part of an effort to assess individuals and government agencies.
The outline focuses on credit in four areas, including administrative affairs, commercial activities, social behavior, and the judicial system.
The authority pledged to establish a set of laws and regulations regarding social credit, a credit reference system that covers the whole of society, and a related reward and punishment mechanism by 2020.
 
 
CCTV accuses BOC of money laundering
 
Anchor:
State broadcaster China Central Television is accusing the Bank of China, one of the big four state-owned commercial banks, of money laundering.
CRI's Cao Yuwei has more.
Reporter:
CCTV says Bank of China has played an active role in helping people move money abroad as overseas investment and emigration from China increase every year.
Current restrictions set by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange only allow an individual in China to transfer 50 thousand yuan into foreign accounts each year.
But CCTV says that many foreign banks assist BOC to bypass the restriction.
One consultant from an Australian Bank cited by CCTV says that BOC is regarded as the safest underground bank.
"The reason why we cooperate with BOC is that it has a significant meaning for the Australian immigrant investor programs. The money for immigration is very safe. It is transferred in a grey way. The process is equal to that of underground banking. The biggest business of the BOC is its overseas business. They own huge amounts of RMB in china as well as foreign currency abroad. So only BOC has such big scale."
CCTV accuses BOC of "money laundering" via its shadowy money-transferring scheme called You Huitong, which helps wealthy Chinese send an unlimited amount of funds beyond the borders after they apply for immigrant investor programs.
A customer service manager at BOC's Guangdong branch explained that they send customers' money out of the country to their branches overseas, leaving them to exchange it for foreign currency.
The manager said it is more like cross-border yuan settlement, which goes around the restrictions of SAFE.
But experts said the settlement is limited to enterprises, not individuals.
The Director of Finance Research Center at Beijing Normal University, Zhong Wei, says avoiding financial regulations is harmful.
"If the Bank of china issues fake certificates on the source of funds, knowing the money is not legitimate, and actively works with migration agents to disguise the origin of the money, that's collaborative crime."
CCTV said one sub-branch of the BOC in Guangdong has sent as much as six billion yuan ($970 million) overseas so far this year.
For CRI, I'm Cao Yuwei.
 
 
BOC Denies Accusation
 
In the latest development, the Bank of China has made a statement saying the accusation made by the CCTV is untrue.
The bank said the international settlement business involving RMB overseas is a trial programme which has been reported to the relevant authorities.
 
 
China, Germany to push ahead with dual listing
 
A tie-up of the Frankfurt and Shanghai stock exchanges is reportedly under consideration to boost dual listings for Chinese companies.
According to the 21st Century Media, Germany is touching base with China's Securities Regulator and the Shanghai Stock Exchange to explore the possibility for Chinese companies to list in both Shanghai and Frankfurt.
A dual listing would enable Chinese companies to attract more investment.
Elke K?nig, president of Germany's Federal Financial Supervisory Authority is scheduled to visit China at the end of July.
The two sides are expected to reach an agreement by year end.
 
 
China welcomes WTO ruling: MOC
 
China's Ministry of Commerce has welcomed a ruling from the World Trade Organization regarding a dispute with the US.
A report from the WTO's appellate body rejects an appeal requested by the United States and has upheld most of China's claims.
The report found that the United States failed to make duty adjustments to avoid double remedies in 25 countervailing and anti-dumping investigations against China in 2006 and 2012.
Ministry of Commerce spokesman Yao Jian says the ruling is consistent with China's standpoint.
 
 
World Bank welcomes China-led infrastructure bank
 
World Bank President Jim Yong Kim has welcomed a new multilateral infrastructure bank proposed by China, saying there is a "massive need" for new investment in this area.
China said earlier it would likely be the largest shareholder of the newly proposed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, with a stake of as much as 50 percent.
Kim, who is visiting China, said a new bank would make good business sense.
The BRICS group, comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, is also in talks to create a 100-billion dollar development bank.
Kim said the World Bank can work with any new bank once it becomes a reality, be it a bank led by the emerging BRICS nations or the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
 
 
Chinese Takes Top Spot in Online Shopping and Mobile Device Payment
 
A study by online payment leader PayPal shows Chinese consumers rank first overall globally in terms of time spent shopping online.
The survey shows that e-commerce-savvy Chinese spend an average of 380 minutes shopping online per week, three hours more than that of the world average.
 
 
Headline News
 
 
China and U.S. start annual dialogues
 
This year's Strategic and Economic Dialogue between China and the United States and the High-level Consultation on People-to-People exchanges have begun here in Beijing.
In his opening speech, Chinese President Xi Jinping has called upon the both sides to set aside differences and make effort in strengthening cooperation.
This year's agenda has over 60 items, including maritime disputes, cyber security, a bilateral investment treaty and the impact of US monetary policy.
The two sides are also expected to touch upon other issues including new energy and climate change.
 
 
Mudslides in China's Yunnan Province left 6 died and 25 missing
 
Six people have died and 25 remain missing in the recent mudslides in southwest China's Yunnan.
A silicon mine in Fugong County has been destroyed in the accident.
Searching efforts are continuing at the site which is not far from the Nujiang River.
Some of the missing people may have been swept into the river, while others may be buried under the thick mud and rock debris.
Officials say another serious mudslide ravaged houses in Yunlong County.
Rescue efforts at both disaster sites are under way.
 
 
More than 50 people injured in the trains' collision of S. Africa
 
More than 50 people have been injured after two trains collided in Durban, South Africa.
According to officials, no passengers were trapped and the trains did not derail.
An investigation is underway.
 
 
N. Korea fires 2 short-range missiles into East Sea: S.Korea
 
North Korea has fired off another series of short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea.
The Japanese government has confirmed the news.
South Korean military officials say the missiles are believed to be Scuds.
These would be the same type of missiles North Korea fired off in a pair of launches this past week.
This time, the launch has reportedly taken place from an inland location.
It's the first time in nearly 2-decades North Korea has launched missiles from a non-coastal location.
 
 
Afghan civilian casualties rises 24 pct: UNAMA
 
A UN agency says the number of civilian casualties from Afghanistan's ongoing internal conflict has increased dramatically through the first half of 2014.
More than 4800 people have been killed or wounded in attacks through the first six months of the year, an increase of 24 percent over the same period last year.
The United Nations Mission for Afghanistan says improvised explosives are the leading cause of death and injury.
Seventy-four percent of all civilian casualties have been attributed to Taliban militants or other anti-government elements.
 
 
India's ruling BJP elects Modi close aide as new president
 
A close aide to India's recently elected prime minister has been elected president.
Amit Shah was elected to the position by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.
He is a former state governor and is seen as one of the closest confidants of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Press Trust of India says the selection of Shah "capped a phenomenal and rapid rise for the party's key election strategist."
Shah is 50 years old and is known for his toughness in keeping law and order.
 
 
Newspaper Picks
 
 
Global Times
Teen calls police on dad for peeking at his QQ
A 13-year-old in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province who was so fed up with his father snooping through his online chat room records that he called the cops.
The teen sought to press charges for invasion of privacy against his father.
According to the boy, his father had used his computer to read through past conversations and delete contacts from his QQ account, an instant messaging platform.
Teen complained to police that his father rarely lets him surf the Internet or go to parties. The father also often warns to stay away from "bad kids" at school.
After police mediation, the boy understood his father's concerns and forgave him.
The father also admitted his actions were inappropriate and promised not to this again.
--
China News Service
College students to take more exercise
Chinese universities and colleges have been told to promote the health of students and open more physical education courses.
A circular by the Ministry of Education, requires measures to ensure that university students spend at least one and half hours each week on physical exercise.
All universities should open no less than 15 PE courses for the students to choose from and the first and sophomore year students will take at least 108 hours of compulsory PE lessons per year.
The circular calls for an assessment system for students' physical health.
The health of students will be considered in performance assessments for universities.
And any university identified with deteriorating student health for three consecutive years will be evaluated as unqualified.
--
Channel News Asia
Singaporeans slightly more gracious this year: Survey
More survey respondents in the latest Graciousness Index have reported doing, receiving or witnessing acts of graciousness or kindness compared to a year ago.
Those more critical of the nation's state of graciousness include motorists and the older demographic profile of 50 years old and above.
While over 80 percent of respondents agreed that encouraging the right values in youths will best promote kindness, only a third of respondents believed parents are actively playing their part to reinforce moral values in their children.
A majority, especially the heaviest online users, also believed people should be gracious in the digital world, and that more needs to be done to improve online etiquette.
The annual study, now in its sixth year, is commissioned by the Singapore Kindness Movement.
--
The Telegraph
New study reveals how to live 10 years longer
A new study has disclosed the chance of surviving for a decade for the first time.
The study found that men aged 75 with healthy lifestyles have just a 67 percent chance of surviving a decade, while their female counterparts have a 74percent chance.
The research also found that pensioners with healthy lifestyles are as likely to survive the next decade as those ten years' younger with unhealthy lifestyles.
A healthy lifestyle here means more exercise and fruit consumption, and less drinking and smoking.
According to the research, smoking had the greatest impact on life expectancy, increasing the risk of premature death by 57%.
Overall, those with unhealthy lifestyles have 2.5 times the chance of dying within a decade.
 
 
Special Reports
 
 
A hub of football fans in Beijing
 
Anchor:
The excitement surrounding this year's World Cup is resonating across China.
CRI's Xiong Siqi hit a popular football restaurant here in Beijing to find out more about the capital's football culture.
Reporter:
With the 2014 World Cup in its full swing in Brazil, football fans in Beijing have begun their yearly sports revelry. Qianxiyuan Football Fan Restaurant is one of such popular destinations for them.
"We came here for the atmosphere. If we watch TV at home, it can be noisy to others."
"One of my friends introduced this restaurant to me. In my hometown, restaurants with certain subjects are rare. So it's interesting to me."
The restaurant is located at Xicheng district in Beijing among blocks of residential buildings. It welcomes its customers with waving flags of the countries playing in this year's World Cup and a signboard that reads "Historical and Cultural Centre of Football."
Walking into the restaurant, customers are greeted by a mind-boggling array of footballs and T-shirts with top football star's autographs.
Three sections are divided into "Euro League District", "Guoan District" and "Football Fans District."
What's more, each balcony is named after a football club with its decoration imitating the style of the club.
Wang Zhanjun, the manager of the restaurantsays even names of the dishes are associated with football.
"All of our dishes are named with sports symbols. For example, we call pig's feet 'shoot'. In that dish, carrots are carved in the shape of a football gate with vegetables on the plate representing the pitch."
Gradually, the restaurant has become an icon among its kind in Beijing. It has entertained a wide range of celebrities in the sports circle.
Qianxiyuan Football Fan Restaurant also has its own football team. Wang said it did very well in the local games.
"Our Qianxiyuan football team has taken part in Beijing league and won a lot of championships, such as Amway Cup, Yanshan Cup, Qiqihaer Cup, etc. I love working here and love to chat with football fans. Working here has become part of my life."
The passion of Chinese football fans always inspires Wang Zhanjun. And now, he has set up a sweet home for the fans who are enchanted by the sport. At the same time, this restaurant also accommodates their football dream.
For CRi, I'm Xiong Siqi.
 
 
Sports
 
 
Brazil suffers devastating loss and look ahead to Argentina v Netherlands
 
First up is of course Brazil's humiliating defeat to Germany this morning, and there really is no other word for it.
Thomas Muller opened the scoring for the Joachim Loew's side in the eleventh minute. This was followed by a Miroslav Klose strike which saw him break the World Cup record – he now has 16 goals overtaking Brazil's Ronaldo – At this point the Brazilian side just fell apart leaving the Germans to score at will.
They made FOUR goals in the space of SIX MINUTES After Klose there were two courtesy of Toni Kroos and a fifth by Sami Khedira.
That scoreline remained for the rest of the first half as Brazil lost all composure.
Then in the second half Andre Schuerrle scored twice just 10 minutes apart to add to the Brazilian woes.
Brazil's Oscar got a notional goal back at 90 minutes but that will have done anything to dampen the devastation felt by the host nation. The match ended Germany Seven – Brazil 1.
So what happened to Brazil? To discuss this as well as tonight's Argentina Netherland's match I got on the line with Mark Dryer, the founder of the China Sports insider website:
Mark Dryer there the founder of the China Sports insider website
 
 
Chris Froome still in the running as Marcel Kittel claims third Tour de France win
 
In the Tour de France,
Germany's Marcel Kittel has won the fourth stage from Le Touquet-Paris-Plage to Lille Metropole.
This is the third stage win so far for the Giant-Shimano rider. The 26-year-old out-sprinted Norway's Alexander Kristoff at the end though it is Italy's Vincenzo Nibili who retains the yellow jersey maintaining a two second lead overall.
Elsewhere the defending champion Chris Froome suffered a crash early on but recovered quickly to finish within the peleton.
The British Team Sky lead rider fell just five kilometers into the race and sported a wrist bandage for the remained of the race but following an X-ray the-29-year-old has now been given the all clear to continue the chase. The Manx rider has now dropped on place and now sits seventh overall.
And a quick mention of China's first ever Tour de France rider, 26-year-old Ji Cheng currently has an individual ranking of 192 out of 194.
That is rather deceptive however as cycle racing is a team sport and as part of the Dutch Giant Shimano squad the rider who hails from Harbin has played an important role helping Marcel Kittel to his victories.
 
 
Donald Sterling jousts with opposition lawyers at Clippers court case
 
Los Angeles Clippers co-owner Donald Sterling has been sparring with his estranged wife's attorney at a trial concerning the 2 Billion dollar sale of the NBA franchise.
The 80-year-old real estate tycoon shouted and interrupted during the testimony saying he wants to keep the Clippers for financial reasons:
It has been reported that Sterling is showing early signs of Alzheimer's disease which is the backbone of Shelly Sterling's case that she should have the right to sell the side.
ADAM STREISAND is the lawyer representing Microsoft billionaire Steve Ballmer who has bid to buy the Clippers:
"Donald Sterling has done a lot of despicable things, today was sad by any measure, the two doctors provided very persuasive evidence of their examinations and their conclusions that Donald Sterling lacks capacity, and Donald Sterling did nothing but prove that the doctors were absolutely correct in their conclusions.　
Donald Sterling has come under pressure to sell the basketball team since a clip of him making racist comments sparked mass condemnation.
 
 
Mo Farrah pulls out of Diamond League event due to illness
 
Double Olympic Champion Mo Farrah has pulled out of this weekend's Diamond League event in Glasgow due to illness.
The 31-year-old British athlete was admitted to hospital where he trains in the USA with abdominal pains earlier in the week.
He is now going through further tests in the UK and says he remains confident of competing in the Commonwealth Games, also in Glasgow, later this month.
 
 
Entertainment
 
 
Famous Singer Denied Drug Use Rumors
 
Chinese singer Han Hong has denied that she was arrested for drug use.
Han made the statement during the shoot for a promotional film about supporting Qinghai province.
Rumors began spreading recently on Weibo that a 'diva' was in custody for drug use in Beijing.
Since Han is regarded as a diva by Chinese media, many denizens speculated that she could be the one related to the case.
Han told reporters that "I never called myself a diva, and if you really want to call me a diva then I’m sorry to disappoint u that I am a diva without anything to do with drugs."
The agent of another accused singer, Faye Wong, has already issued a statement claiming that Faye is completely innocent.
Han also defended other entertainers' innocence, including Zhao Wei and Na Ying.
 
 
Harry Potter is Back
 
(harry potter)
Harry Potter is back… Mysterious, married and going grey!
J.K. Rowling has given fans a glimpse of the grown-up wizard in a new short story on her Pottermore fan website.
This is the first update since "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" was published in 2007. Rowling says it's the endless support from fans that gave her the idea to write the short story.
"That I'm still receiving countless, huge amount of mail, I thought it would really drop off by now but I'm, you know, stories, drawings, ideas, suggestions that I write prequels, sequels every week."
The 1,500 word story describes Harry, about to turn 34, attending the final of the Quidditch World Cup with his family, and old friends Ron and Harmione.
Harry now has threads of silver in hair and mysterious cut on his face from a "top secret" work as an evil-battling auror.
Written in the style of a gossip column for the Daily Prophet, The style allows Rowling to poke fun at the UK's tabloid press. A real life bugbear, that she has in the past accused of invading her privacy.
But fans shouldn't get too excited because Mark Hutchinson, Rowlings spokesman said there are "no plans" for a new Harry Potter Novel.
 
 
Emma Watson named as UN Goodwill Ambassador
 
Talking of Harry Potter… British Actress Emma Watson who plays Hermione in the film has been appointed UN Women's new Goodwill Ambassador.
The young actress will dedicate her new efforts towards the empowerment of young women, serving as an advocate for UN Women's HeForShe campaign in promoting gender equality.
The director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, said that the engagement of young people is critical for the advancement of gender equality for the 21st centenary. Adding that Watson's intellect and passion will enable UN Women's messages to reach the hearts and minds of young people globally.
Emma Watson called the opportunity truly humbling, adding that she hopes to bring more of her personal knowledge, experience and awareness to her new role.
 
 
Extant debuts in the U.S. staring Halle Berry
 
(extant clip)
Halle Berry makes her big TV comeback in a new sci-fi thriller "Extant" debuted today on CBS in the U.S.
Executively produced by Steven Spielberg, Extant is about an infertile astronaut called Molly Woods, played by Berry, who returns from a year alone aboard a space station to find out she is pregnant. She tries to reconnect with her husband, played by ER's Goran Visnjic and son – who is no ordinary boy, a robot created by his father. Her experiences in space and home lead to events that ultimately will change the course of human history.
Extant means still existing, suggesting that whatever's in Berry's character has somehow beat extinction. CBS said that Halle Berry's phantom fetus changes humanity forever.
The first episode of 13 in the series of Extant is out today in the US Wednesday 10th July.
 
 
That's it for this edition of the Beijing Hour - a quick recap of headlines before we go:
High-level Chinese and US officials are discussing maritime disputes, trade, and cyber security at meetings underway now in Beijing...
Meantime, those same officials are pledging better cooperation and deeper ties between China and the US...
And the Palestinian president calls for international help as fighting between Israel and Hamas intensifies...
In business, inflation in China is described as "steady"
On behalf of the Beijing Hour staffers, this is Shane Bigham in Beijing hoping you'll join us for our next edition of the Beijing Hour to open a window to the world together.